Second debate: foreign policy

Well done Sky for making a better show than ITV. The set looked more up to date and the questions were up in text on the screen as the leaders debated. Common sense at last.

And, the topic was foreign affairs, which is my favourite! Although some issues weren't touched upon enough, or hardly at all, such as Afghanistan (apart from general equipment issues), Iraq, Iran, the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and relations with Russia and energy security. 

There is one thing I am immensely glad of Brown and Clegg for bringing up - the importance of the EU for British trade and jobs. Brown quoted 50% of our trade is with the EU, and some three million jobs. Let that be a crippling blow to all who want to be out of the EU. The EU is good for us, and we are dependent on trade with and through it. End of.

Cameron said that the other two leaders "won't stand up for Britain" in Europe. What? It makes no sense that British leaders just throw everything away to Brussels - what do they gain from it. The first and foremost duty of any leader is to secure the best interests of his/her people. It makes no sense. And despite what Euroskeptics may believe, Blair and Brown have insisted on the most opt-outs for the UK from so many EU agreements than any other member. The UK is one of the main players in the EU - within it the UK can get better terms for us than outside of it. Cameron can't be allowed to ruin our economy on top of ruining our relations in Europe.

Thankfully, Brown and Cameron did put Clegg down over the Trident issue. "Get real", Brown said to Clegg. And he's right. It doesn't matter that Trident was developed during the Cold War. Nuclear weapons still exist, and they have dynamics that affect world politics and national security way beyond the Cold War. The nuclear deterrent ensures the UK's place on the UN Security Council and stabilises relations with Russia and China, amongst other nuclear powers and wannabes. 

There is no cheap alternative to Trident - it's a hell of a bargain we've gotten from the Americans. We can't develop our own system because it will either be rubbish or cost much more money than renewing a similar system to Trident. Knowing us, our own system will probably cost a lot of money and still be shit. For Clegg's "anti-Americanism", it is ironic that he wants to get rid of Trident. In a crisis, what is Britain's main ability to take its own diplomatic action independent of other actors, including the US? The nuclear deterrent! Furthermore, New Labour has pushed the securitisation and militarisation of the EU more than any other British government. With a more unified and militarised EU, we will be able to go our own way, independent of US influence sooner. Clegg's foreign policy is highly schizophrenic.

I have to say that during that debate, Brown came out on top. He said what made the most sense, and Cameron was agreeing with Brown on the nuclear issue. Nick Clegg didn't answer Brown's question about nuclear power. Why are the Lib Dems set against nuclear power sations? It is the only affordable way we can reduce our carbon emmissions.

On a side note, I do feel sorry for Ieuan Wyn Jones and Penri James of Plaid Cymru. In Ceredigion, the race is between Penri James of Plaid Cymru and Mark Williams (incumbent) of the Lib Dems. With Clegg doing well in the polls as a result of the TV debates, Plaid is left reeling from the effects. Polls show that Plaid's support has dropped relative to everyone else because of the debates. In Ceredigion, my constituency, Plaid faces an uphill battle unless Clegg manages to make a hash of things before May 6th.

I look forward to the next debate!